Read Random (Going the Distance) for Free Online

almost every day. I never really ate vegetables that much before, but I’m learning. She gives me tips on what to do with them, too, showing me how to stir fry or pan roast with garlic, or steam them in the microwave. Easy.
    The peas are growing up a trellis next to the garage, and as I pluck the remaining pods off the vines I realize I’m feeling okay again. My shoulders have stopped aching with tension. I hear Electra humming as she hoes down the weeds in a nearby row.
    I split open one of the pea pods with my thumb and pop the bright green peas right into my mouth. They’re sweet and crunchy and healthy, and my brain offers a vision of me lying on my couch, reading all evening while I eat fresh peas.
    I really don’t want to go tonight and wish there was some way to get out of it. But even as I think about how I could maybe just call and tell Rick I can’t make it, there’s a rumble of a motorcycle in the alley and he roars in on his red bike, hair flying. The sun slants through the trees over him as he comes to a stop, and I straighten, thinking the whole scene looks like a commercial. His shoulders are broad beneath his jean jacket, and his face is sulky and handsome beneath the sunglasses. He smiles, raises a hand as he swings off the bike. “Hey, babe!”
    I glance back at Electra wistfully. “See you later.”
    “Take the peas, sweetheart,” she urges. “I’ve had enough of them this year.”
    “Babe!” Rick calls. Electra gives him a sour look. She doesn’t like him.
    Whatever. All of a sudden, I am too tired for any more drama. I step over the one-foot fence and walk up to Rick. “Hi. You’re early.”
    He slings an arm around my shoulders and hauls me close. “I missed my girl,” he says, and his other hand sneaks up my thigh beneath my dress. I slap it away, and he leans in to kiss me, hard and deep. He’s a good kisser, and I usually like it. Today I’m pushing his hand away from beneath my dress, and he’s tilting me backward and kissing my neck. 
    “Quit!” I say, pulling away. “Not out here.”
    “Let’s go inside, then.” He grins and laces his fingers through mine. “I brought you something.”
    I soften. “Really?”
    He pushes the door open and drags me in behind him, and as soon as we’re across the threshold he swings me around and pushes me against the wall. “Yeah,” he says, kissing me. “This.” He rubs his hard cock against my groin. “You want it?”
    All I think is that he smells like some weird spice and his chin has whiskers that are rubbing my skin too hard. I push my palms against his chest, turning my face to the side. “Rick, I’ve had a bad day.”
    “Let me make it better, then.” His hands are under my dress, pulling at my panties, and he sucks at my neck, rubbing against me. All it does is aggravate me.
    “Rick. Quit it!”
    He’s oblivious, his spit all over my neck, his hands up under my dress and wiggling, trying to get entry between my legs. I sigh and go limp, staring at the ceiling. He kisses me again and I don’t respond, just stare at him.
    Finally he gets it. Raises his head. He has lashes so thick they look false, and it gives his hard, dark face a softness that makes him seem safer. “Really? You know I love to have sex when I’m going to be on stage.”
    “I know, but I’m just not there.” I slide away, pull my dress down. “It’s been a lousy day. “
    “Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.”
    “Forgot? A car drove into the restaurant. Virginia is in the hospital. I lost my job.”
    “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m a bastard.” He strokes my hair. “Want me to brush your hair?”
    I glance at him from under my eyelashes. 
    He half smiles and goes to get the brush. On the way, he sticks his phone in the mp3 player and music spills out, the pop that I like, not his hard guitars. It softens me a little more, and even though I know exactly what he’s doing, it makes me smile. Kicking off my shoes, I sit on the bed,